All About Health

Say what you want about mayoral control of schools, but here’s another idea to raise the graduation rate: Bring every fifth grader to a college graduation. Let the youngsters watch the pomp and circumstance surrounding the graduates. Let them see the grads searching out their family, then waving frantically to get their attention. Let them see the hugs they share with classmates. Let them listen to people congratulate them on having done their homework. Let them experience a special day.

Some of the speeches may be over their heads, but a good message works at any age. Like UR trustee Edmund Hajim said at Sunday’s graduation — find something to do, find friends to do them with and encourage you, find something to believe in, always look ahead.

What does this have to do with health? Many studies have found that longevity is tied to education. Whether it’s exposure to knowledge or the means (financial or intellectual) to turn that knowledge into action, people with more education tend to be healthier.

So, if we can get kids when they’re young, when maybe they don’t see the value of school, and we bring them to a graduation and let them see how cool it is to finish a hard job, maybe we inspire them to want the same thing when they’re older. Another UR speaker said Sunday, we live where we learn and learn where we live. Yet another talked about potential and pursuing a dream. Let’s give kids something to dream about. Take them to a graduation.

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About this blog

Patti Singer

Health Reporter

Being healthy means that you’ll be in good shape if you get sick. That may sound odd, but think about it. We may not be able to prevent every illness, but if we can delay it, minimize it and recover quickly, we can get back to our lives. That’s the beauty of a healthy lifestyle – what I call wellness insurance.

I’m fascinated by how we define health and what we do to achieve and keep that physical, emotional and spiritual sense.

I used to be a sports writer. I joined the Democrat and Chronicle in 1985 to write about the Rochester Red Wings and wouldn’t trade that experience for an infinite number of first-round draft choices. I moved from sports to features in 1991, and wrote about personal health, travel and general topics. I joined the metro staff in July 2009 to focus on health.

I am certified as a personal trainer and I earned a master’s degree in education from The College at Brockport, where I teach an undergrad course in contemporary health issues and a grad course in health communication.